Program Sustainability and Financing

The Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma (PAAA) Coalition was formed in 2000 with a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Allies Against Asthma initiative. This funding allowed coalition members the opportunity to identify broad-based community and city needs, and develop programs to address these needs. In 2002, the coalition created the Child Asthma Link Line as an attempt to improve asthma outcomes by enhancing the connectivity among medical, educational, and social services. Since its creation, the Child Asthma Link Line has continued to expand services across the city and grow their reputation both locally and nationally.

In 2006, funding from the Merck Childhood Asthma Network allowed the Link Line to expand services and work collaboratively in a city-wide partnership to address asthma. Also in 2006, the Link Line received two awards: (1) the Nemours Vision Award for Excellence in Child Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, and (2) the Premier Cares Certificate of Merit for improving healthcare for the medically underserved. As a result of their six years of high-quality services, the Link Line has developed a good reputation among multiple health care organizations.

Today, the Link Line receives referrals from managed care organizations, physician offices, hospitals, health centers, schools, and non-profit organizations. It remains a well established part of the city’s healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, the Link Line has partnered with the School District of Philadelphia to screen children in school for asthma and connect those children who screen positive to Link Line services. To date, this effort has screened 3,287 students at 10 schools in the Philadelphia area. 27% of children screened positive for asthma, and 1,094 children were connected to Link Line services. Recognizing the value of this partnership, the School District of Philadelphia hopes to continue the Link Line asthma screening project in subsequent years. This connection builds on the Link Line’s ability to reach and serve a wide range of Philadelphia’s students, and further enhances their integration into the city’s infrastructure.

Funding to support the Link Line comes from the Merck Childhood Asthma Network, the Philadelphia Department of Public, The Philadelphia Foundation, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The Link Line’s annual operating budget is $151,439.